Undergraduate Minors

The Department of Chemical Sciences offers programs leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. These programs are designed to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to prepare students for successful careers in the chemical, pharmaceutical or biotech industries, for chemical research, teaching and environmental science or for further study in graduate degree programs and professional schools.

The department is housed in the Science and Mathematics Center and maintains a suite of modern scientific instrumentation that is used for both teaching and research purposes. This includes a high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer, a flame/furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (FLAAS/GFAAS), two Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers, two gas chromatographs (GC-MS and GC/FID-ECD), a high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC), several ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometers (UV/Vis), a luminescence spectrometer, and a molecular imager.

Students, staff and faculty maintain an atmosphere of informal interaction, both inside and outside the classroom and laboratory. Many students participate in Chemistry Club activities, which include seminars by area scientists, visits to academic and industrial laboratories and special social events. Students are encouraged to participate in research and together with faculty often attend American Chemical Society (ACS) and other professional meetings throughout the country to present their research results.

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science

The chemistry major, with a concentration in biochemistry, environmental chemistry or professional chemistry, leads to the BS degree. These programs are designed for students who plan a career as a professional chemist or biochemist either immediately after graduation or after graduate work in a chemistry-related discipline. Satisfactory performance (a 3.0 average or better) in any of these programs gives students the preparation required to obtain an assistantship or fellowship in graduate school. The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry programs are certified by the American Chemical Society.

The chemistry major (without a concentration) leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. This program is most appropriate for students with a double major in another discipline. The BA is not recommended as a “stand alone” major or for students pursuing a professional career in chemistry. The BA program is not certified by the American Chemical Society. A minimum number of chemistry courses are required so that a program of other courses suited to the individual’s interests may be developed in consultation with the student’s advisor.

The department also participates in preprofessional advising for students interested in pharmacy, medicine and dentistry. Additional information can be found in the Interdisciplinary and Preprofessional Programs section of this catalog.

Students interested in any of the programs offered by the department should enroll in CHEM 141 - Chemical Principles I and calculus (MATH 161/161E - Single Variable Calculus I or MATH 141 - Elements of Calculus I) in the fall semester of their first year. Additionally, students interested in biochemistry should also enroll in BIOL 121 - General Biology I. In the spring semester of their first year, students will normally continue with CHEM 142 - Chemical Principles II and the second semester of calculus. Students need not decide among the various programs within the department until the spring of their second year. Because of the sequential nature of many courses required in our programs, we urge new students to consult with a chemistry faculty member in addition to the regular freshman advisors during the first year registration process.

Honors Program

The honors program in chemistry provides highly motivated chemistry majors with opportunities to enhance their academic program through intensive scholarly study and research designed to be of assistance in postgraduate employment or in the pursuit of an advanced degree in chemistry. Contact the Department of Chemical Sciences for further information concerning eligibility and application.

Master of Arts in Teaching – Physical Science

The Master of Arts in Teaching degree in physical science was developed for high school and middle school subject area teachers who have an initial license in chemistry, earth sciences or physics and are seeking a professional license in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This MAT program is designed to meet the “appropriate master’s degree” requirement, which is part of the criteria for professional stage licensure, as set forth in the most recent MA DESE licensure regulations.